Wilderness Meets the City: Christmas Tree and Wildlife for Graz
Altaussee brings not only the Christmas tree — but also a message for nature conservation
This year's festive handover of the Altaussee Christmas tree to the city of Graz took on a special dimension: under the motto “Wilderness Meets the City”, the tradition was used to raise awareness about the winter living conditions of local wildlife.
“We want to bring more than just a tree — we want to make a statement,” said the organizers of the initiative, which is supported by the City of Graz, the Altaussee Tourist Association, and the Austrian Federal Forests (ÖBf). The initiative highlights the challenges wildlife face during the cold season — such as those caused by climate change and the increasing loss of natural habitats.
A special highlight took place on the first Saturday of Advent: ten short videos, each 10 seconds long, were shown on the City Lights screens in downtown Graz — a first in the history of these advertising spaces. Thousands of visitors experienced this blend of festive atmosphere and a call to protect our natural world.
Following the ceremonial Christmas tree handover, we expressed our gratitude to Mayor Elke Kahr and City Councillor Günter Riegler for their support. As a token of appreciation, we presented three 2025 ÖBf calendars and invited the city government to a wildlife feeding event in the Ausseerland — where the “Forest of the Future” will also be in the spotlight.
With this initiative, we aim to raise awareness about species conservation, so that future generations can continue to experience the richness of our native wildlife — both in the city and in the wilderness.
